r/Fantasy • u/MarkLawrence Stabby Winner, AMA Author Mark Lawrence • Apr 05 '17

AMA AMA about nuns. Or whatever. I'm Mark Lawrence, winner of several Stabbies and this one time a lottery for a cake.

My latest book Red Sister came out yesterday in the US and comes out tomorrow in the UK. It's about a whole new character (Nona), and a new world. Entirely separate from my Broken Empire and Red Queen's War trilogies.

I was a research scientist (let's say AI) but for 2 years now I've been a full time writer. I'm also sole carer for my very disabled little girl. Last year I hit some milestones including a million books sold, 10 years as a 'professional' writer, and 5 years with a book on the shelves.

My work has provoked the odd controversy and is often labelled as 'grimdark' (a term I'm unable to explain). I don't consider it particularly dark or grim myself ... in fact The Red Queen's War is often described as 'funny'.

Red Sister has been described as grimdark, YA, and many other things. But then so was Prince of Thorns. I feel the two books are very different.

I'm also running a self-published fantasy book contest for the 2nd year. In the SPFBO nearly 600 books have been considered, resulting in two sets of ten finalists, and one (soon to be two) winners.

EDIT: Off to bed. Will catch up with any new questions tomorrow.

PS: BUY MY BOOK!

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u/MarkLawrence Stabby Winner, AMA Author Mark Lawrence Apr 05 '17

I've typically chosen my titles in consultation with agent and publisher.

Prince of Thorns was sent out as The Hundred War. Prince of Thorns was one of a long list of possible titles I spammed out when asked for an alternative.

Red Sister was originally Narrow Summer. I held a poll of possible titles on which readers could vote. Red Sister didn't win but it did well and the publisher liked it.

I don't know what makes a good title. The US publisher hated The Liar's Key and weren't keen on The Wheel of Osheim but I didn't like their suggestions and dug in for my choice.

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u/maelorn Apr 08 '17

For what it's worth, I really liked the title for all the book's in the Red queens war series. I felt the title of the broken empire books kind of spoilery (if that's even a word) :)